History[]
Ordered as a photo–reconnaissance aircraft, as the then Bomber Command chief, Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt did not favour an unarmed bomber,[2] under contract B.69990/40, W4050 was built at Hatfield, and flown as E2034 for the first two flights (Mosquito, Sharp, C.M. & Bowyer, M.J.F.)[3]
W4050’s fuselage was damaged while taxiing at Boscombe Down, 24 February 1941, and had to be replaced with one intended for a second prototype, W4051. It remained at de Havilland and was used to test different engines, armaments and versions. After a series of tests conducted in December 1943, the first Mosquito was permanently grounded. It was used as an instructional airframe and later placed in storage.
In September 1958 W4050 was turned over to the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre. Today, the restored prototype DH.98 Mosquito is at the museum at London Colney, Hertfordshire, England.[4]